Shale shakers

ABSTRACT

A shale shaker or vibratory separator which, in one aspect, has a base, vibration isolation apparatus on the base, a basket, mount apparatus for mounting the basket on the base, and at least one of the base, basket, and the mount apparatus made of, encased in, or coated with composite material which, in certain aspects, is all or part flexible composite material; and methods of using such separators and shakers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is directed to vibratory separators and, incertain particular aspects, to shale shakers and to shale shakers withstructural members made of composite material.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Many typical vibratory separators and shale shakers have acontainer, carrier, housing, or basket to which is secured one or morescreens used for separating components of material fed to the vibratoryseparator or shale shaker. Vibrating apparatus connected to thecontainer, etc. vibrates the container, etc. and the vibrations areimparted to the screen or screens secured to the container, etc.

[0005] Typically it is desirable to maximize vibration of the screen(s)while isolating equipment, objects, and structures adjacent thevibratory separator from the intense vibrations produced by thevibrating apparatus. Such isolation is effected by using springs, rubberor rubber-like or resilient members or cushions, isolator apparatus, andshock absorbers on which the container or basket is mounted.

[0006] In many vibratory separators and shale shakers parts of themachine are made of steel, e.g. the container basket, housings forvibrating apparatus, vibration isolating springs, and spring mounts. Inmany environments in which vibratory separators and shale shakers areused, these steel parts are subjected to harsh conditions that result inwear, erosion, rust, and corrosion of the steel. Often shale shakers areused offshore on rigs over salt water. Both the salt environment and thechemicals in drilling fluids processed by the shale shakers cancontribute to the deterioration of steel parts.

[0007] In the past parts of screen assemblies and decks for such screenshave been made of composite materials; but no prior art suggests thatparts of a shale shaker such as the basket, base, or spring mounts bemade of composite material, nor does any prior art provide themotivation to do so.

[0008] There has long been a need, recognized by the present inventors,for a vibratory separator and shale shaker with a basket, base, and/orspring mount which resists wear, rust and corrosion. There has long beena need for such machines whose internal vibration can be maximized whileeffectively isolating objects adjacent the machines from the vibrations.There has long been a need for such machines which are: morecost-effective; relatively lighter in weight and easy to transporteither assembled or unassembled; able to withstand material fatigue dueto vibration; and/or which are easily repaired.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0009] The present invention, in certain embodiments, provides avibratory separator or shale shaker in which a basket, base, and/orspring mount is made of composite material or of metal encased in and/orcoated with composite material.

[0010] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses vibratoryseparators and shale shakers with some parts and components made ofcomposites which are shipped and transported to a job site and assembledat the site. In certain particular aspects, parts are adhesively bondedtogether or welded together. In one particular aspect parts made ofparticular types of composite are electromagnetically welded togethereither at a manufacturing facility or at a job site, e.g., at a drillingrig.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the present invention discloses vibratoryseparators and shale shakers in which composite (in one aspectrelatively flexible composite) material is used in spring mounts toenhance the vibration isolation accomplished by the spring mounts. Wallsand/or sides of a basket of a shaker can, according to the presentinvention, be made of composite material or can have areas made of suchcomposite material (which in one aspect is relatively flexiblecomposite) as can spring mounting brackets or parts.

[0012] Separators and shakers according to the present invention areuseful for treating drilling fluid with drilled cuttings and/or withlost circulation material therein, which, in one aspect, includesfibrous lost circulation material and which may be, but is not limitedto, any lost circulation material disclosed in or referred to in pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 09/975,075 filed Oct. 11, 2001 and co-ownedwith the present invention and incorporated fully herein for allpurposes.

[0013] What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of thisinvention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at leastcertain preferred embodiments of the invention, other objects andpurposes will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art who hasthe benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures.

[0014] It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferredembodiments of the present invention to provide new, useful, unique,efficient, nonobvious vibratory separators and shale shakers in whichbaskets, bases, and/or vibration isolator mounts, are made of compositematerial, of metal encased in composite material, and/or of metal coatedwith composite material;

[0015] Such machines in which the screen(s) used for separating materialcomponents are effectively vibrated while objects adjacent the machinesare not detrimentally vibrated or such vibration is reduced by employingisolator apparatus parts, components and structural members made ofcomposite material and, in one particular aspect, such parts, etc. madeof relatively flexible composite material;

[0016] Such machines that are transportable unassembled and are easilyassembled at a job site;

[0017] Such machines with such parts that are easily repaired;

[0018] Such machines useful for treating drilling fluid with drilledcuttings and/or with lost circulation material therein, which, in oneaspect, includes fibrous lost circulation material; and

[0019] Methods for using such machines.

[0020] Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to anyparticular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinationsof them distinguished from the prior art in their structures andfunctions. Features of the invention have been broadly described so thatthe detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and inorder that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be betterappreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the inventiondescribed below and which may be included in the subject matter of theclaims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefitof this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate thatthe conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis fordesigning other structures, methods and systems for carrying out andpracticing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to beread to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0021] The present invention recognizes and addresses thepreviously-mentioned problems and long-felt needs and provides asolution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs inits various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one skilledin this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations,teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantageswill be appreciated from the following description of preferredembodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in thesedescriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claimthis invention no matter how others may later disguise it by variationsin form or additions of further improvements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A more particular description of embodiments of the inventionbriefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodimentswhich are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification.This drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to beused to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have otherequally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a side view of a shale shaker according to the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a top view and FIG. 3 is an end view of the shaleshaker of FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shale shaker according to thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a side view of a shale shaker according to the presentinvention.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vibratory separator according tothe present invention.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a side view of a vibratory separator according to thepresent invention. FIG. 8 is a top view of the separator of FIG. 7. FIG.9 is a view along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a side view of a side according to the presentinvention for a vibratory separator or shale shaker.

[0029]FIG. 11 is an end view of a shale shaker according to the presentinvention.

[0030]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shale shaker according to thepresent invention.

[0031]FIG. 13A is a top view of a structural member for a shale shakeraccording to the present invention. FIG. 13B is a side crosssection viewof the member of FIG. 13A.

[0032] FIGS. 14-16 are side crosssection views of parts of shale shakersaccording to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THISPATENT

[0033] FIGS. 1-3 show a shale shaker 10 according to the presentinvention which has a screen-mounting basket 12 and a bridge 14 on whichare mounted two vibrating apparatuses 20. The basket 12 has brackets 16to which are secured helical springs 18. Each spring 18 is secured to abase member 22. As shown in FIG. 3, an optional housing 24 may be usedon sides of and beneath the shale shaker 10. Optionally (and as may bethe case with any shale shaker disclosed herein according to the presentinvention or with any known prior art shaker or vibratory separator) anelectronic tracking apparatus 29 is on the housing 24, but may,according to the present invention, be within any suitable member orpart of a shale shaker; and, optionally, such a tracking apparatus has acontainer or housing made of composite material and/or is encased withinor coated with composite material. Any known tracking device, apparatus,or system may be used, including, but not limited to known satellitetracking systems.

[0034] The brackets 16 are made, preferably, of composite material, asare the base members 22 and the housing 24. Optionally, the basket 12(side walls 12 a, 12 b; ends 12 c, 12 d) is made of composite material.Alternatively one, some, or all of these components are made of steelencased in composite or steel coated with composite. A coating ofcomposite may have the thickness of a layer of paint or of two, three,four or more layers of paint. A shale shaker similar to the shale shaker10, but with no teaching, motivation, or suggestion of using suchcomposite material for a shale shaker or parts of it, is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,155,428 incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

[0035]FIG. 4 shows a shale shaker 30 according to the present inventionwhich has screen apparatus 33 mounted in a basket 32. Between basketmount members 37 and mount members 35 on a frame 36 are mounted springs34 for isolating vibration of the shale shaker 30. Vibrating apparatus38 vibrates the basket 32 to vibrate the screen apparatus 33. Elevatorapparatus 31 provides for raising and lowering of the basket end. Posts39 secured to the basket 32 extend through corresponding holes in themount members 37.

[0036] According to the present invention, the basket 32 is, preferably,made of composite material as are the mount members 37, 10 frame 36,mount members 35, and posts 39. A shale shaker similar to the shaleshaker 40 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,925 (co-owned with thepresent invention and incorporated fully herein for all purposes), butthis patent has no teaching, motivation, or suggestion to make a shaleshaker or parts of it with such composite material.

[0037]FIG. 5 shows a shale shaker 40 according to the present invention,which has a lower base frame 41 on which is mounted a screen bed supportframe 42. Air springs 44 positioned between mount members 45 a connectedto the support frame 42 and mount members 45 b connected to the baseframe 41 provide resilient support for the support frame 42. Vibratoryapparatus 47 connected to the support frame 42 vibrates the supportframe 42 and thus vibrates a screen or screens on the support frame 42.A vertical strut 45 provides support for the vibratory apparatus 47.Each air spring 44 has a body 44 a.

[0038] According to the present invention, the base frame 41, bodies 44a, strut 45, mount members 45 a, and/or mount members 45 b are,preferably made of composite material or of steel encased in or coatedwith composite material. A shale shaker similar to the shale shaker 40,but with no teaching, motivation, or suggestion of using such compositematerial for a shale shaker or parts thereof, is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,685,982, incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

[0039]FIG. 6 shows a vibratory separator 60 according to the presentinvention which has a stationary base 61 and a moving frame 62 moved byapparatus 64 connected to the frame 62. Intervening resilient members 63are positioned between brackets 69 of the frame 2 and posts 67 of thebase 61. Screens 65 and 66 are mounted on corresponding decks 65 a and66 a, respectively. It is to be understood that although only one sideof the separator 60 is shown in FIG. 6, the other side is like the sidethat is shown (as is true for the apparatus of FIGS. 4 and 5 also).

[0040] According to the present invention, the base 61, resilient 10members 63, brackets 69, posts 67, and/or decks 65a, 66a are made ofcomposite material or steel encased in or coated with compositematerial. EPO patent application 0 238 455, App. No. 87830099.5 filedMar. 17, 1987 discloses a separator similar to the separator 60, but ithas no teaching, suggestion or motivation to make a separator or partsthereof of such composite material. This EPO Application is incorporatedfully herein for all purposes.

[0041] FIGS. 7-9 show a vibratory separator 100 which is a portable,self-contained unit, having a combined tank and base 115, screen box116, screen 112, screen deck 117 and drive 118. Combined tank and base115 is “L” shaped in its side elevation and the screen is substantiallyrectangular in its plan view. Screen box 116 is spring supported on base115 and carries screen deck 117 and vibrator assembly 121. A drive 118has a V-belt 122 connecting pulley 123 to one end of vibrator shaft 124and pulley 125 attached to electric motor 126 mounted on the top of box116. The tank and base 115 have two vertical side plates 127, twotransverse tubes 128, feed-box 129 and collecting tank 130. Each sideplate 127 may have horizontal stiffeners 131 and two spring supportbrackets 132. Upper edge 133 of the side plate is sloped downwardly fromthe feed-end to the discharge to conform generally to the average slopeof screen deck 117. Two tubes 128 act as transverse structural tiesbetween side plate 127 at each end of the base near the bottom of theside plates. The tubes extend outwardly beyond the side plates andhorizontal stiffeners to permit a hoisting sling to be used over eachtube end 128 a. At the feed-end of the screen, feed box 129 is attachedto side plates 127 just above one of the transverse tubes 128 and haslower portion 129 a and upper portion 129 b. The lower portion istriangular in transverse cross-section and is arranged to receivematerial from inlet pipe 135 and direct same upwardly to the generallyrectangular portion 129 b which communicates with flume 137. Adjustablefeed vanes 140 are provided in feed flume 137. Each vane 140 has apivoted vertical plate 141 attached to threaded rod 142. The plates are,preferably, approximately as wide as the spacing between the threadedrods and as high as sides 143 of flume 137. When set perpendicular tothe flow, the vanes can prevent flow, but when opened they present awide surface to control the direction of flow. Collecting tank 130 isintegrally formed in base 115 to provide a watertight hopper forcollecting undersize material and water flowing through screen 147supported on screen deck 117. The screen 147 may be any suitable knownscreen for a shale shaker. In the lower central portion of each sideplate 127, discharge openings 148 are provided for withdrawing undersizematerial. A formed bottom plate 151 sloping from the feed-end todischarge openings 148 and flanged vertically at the discharge end, isconnected or welded to side plates 127 to provide for the collection ofthe undersize material and water and to permit it to flow to dischargeopenings 148. Screen box 116 has two vertical side plates 155 which are,preferably, approximately trapezoidal in outline. Spring supportbrackets 156 are on each side plate at predetermined locations. Coilsprings 157 are located between screen box brackets 156 and basebrackets 132 to provide for isolation of vibrating screen box 116 frombase 115. Screen deck 117 is connected to or bolted to side plates 155to tie them together transversely into a rigid structure. Motor supportplate 158 is fastened to the top of one side plate 155 slightlyforwardly of its longitudinal center line. Horizontal transverse tube152 connects motor support plate 158 to counter weight 153 mounted onthe opposite plate. Springs 190 are disposed between weight assemblies162 and mounts 191. Counterweight 153 balances the weight of the driveon the screen box to obtain more uniform motion. The vibrator assembly121 is connected to each side plate 155 e.g., with fasteners 159. Driveextension 161 of vibrator shaft 124 extends beyond counterweightassembly 162 on the same side of the screen box as the motor supportplate 158. Screen box 116 with screen deck 117, drive 118, vibratorassembly 121 and screen means 147 all move as a unit with a vibratingmotion produced by vibrator 121. Screen deck 117 has a generallyhorizontal feed section 119 followed by inclined discharge section 120,e.g., inclined downwardly at 5 degrees in the direction of flow.Vibrator assembly 121 has a tubular housing 180, with flanged end bellsection 181 on each of its ends, which is connected to screen box sideplates 155. Within each end bell 181 there is a flanged cartridge typesealed spherical roller bearing block 182. The bearing blocks supportvibrator shaft 124 which has a concentric extension 183 on each of itsends beyond the bearing box for mounting counterweight assemblies 162.End 161 of the vibrator shaft is further extended to carry V belt pulley123 for drive 118.

[0042] Tensioning arrangement 170 includes support rod 172 extendingbetween side plates 155 of screen box 116. A longitudinally extendingmember is pivotally attached to rod 172. A spring 171 is connected atone end to an end of the longitudinally extending member and at itsother end to bracket 176 which in turn is connected to the bottom ofside plate 155. A tensioning member extends vertically upward from shaft172. A spring member 171 provides a force for urging the tensioningmember in a clockwise direction.

[0043] The screen 147 is supported in a longitudinal direction viatransversely extending bars 177 having generally “U” shaped supportmembers 178 attached at the top thereof to directly support theundersurface of screen 147. The support members are made from or coveredwith rubber or composite or metal (e.g. steel, stainless steel,aluminum, aluminum alloy, zinc, zinc alloy, bronze, brass or iron)encased in or coated with composite material or other suitable material.The support bars 177 located at the feed end of screen deck 117progressively decrease in height to provide a bowed or cambered supportsurface for screen 147. The support bars 177 disposed under screen 147of discharge section 120 progressively decrease in height relative tothe 5 degree downward incline in the direction of flow to also provide abowed or cambered support surface for overlying screen 147. The bowed orcambered support surface provided by members 177 and 178 enable screen147 to be tensioned evenly when placed on deck 117.

[0044] The various parts and components of the separator 100 may,according to the present invention, be made of composite material, steelor other suitable metal or coated with or encased in composite material;including, but not limited to parts bearing numerals: 115-116, 119, 120,124, 127-133, 135, 137, 140-143, 148, 151-153, 155-159, 161, 162, 171,172, 176-178, 180-183, 190, and/or 191.

[0045] U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,391 (fully incorporated herein for allpurposes) discloses a separator similar to the separator 100, but it hasno teaching, suggestion, or motivation to use composite material asdisclosed according to the present invention for separators or partsthereof.

[0046]FIG. 10 shows a side wall 200 for a shale shaker basket which hasa main body 201 made of any suitable material, including, but notlimited to metal, steel, fiberglass, or composite material.

[0047] Portions 202 of the body 201 are made of composite material andprovide attachment points for brackets or other mount members formounting the basket to springs, air springs, resilient members, or shockabsorbers. Any suitable composite may be used, including, but notlimited to, relatively flexible composite material as disclosed in or asreferred to in references cited in U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,319.

[0048]FIG. 11 shows a shale shaker 210 like the shale shaker of FIG. 3,but with basket spring mounts 212 which have a portion 214 made ofrelatively flexible composite material. Optionally, base members 216 towhich springs 211 are secured have a top poriton 218 made of suchrelatively flexible composite material and a lower section 219 made ofless flexible composite material or of metal, e.g., but not limited to,steel. Any part disclosed herein may have a portion made of suchrelatively flexible composite material.

[0049]FIG. 12 shows a shale shaker 300 according to the presentinvention which has a vibrating screen 312 with a lower edge 313,vibrated by vibrator 316 with nozzles 322 for spraying cuttings withwashing fluid. A pump 326 pumps the fluid from a tank 324 through a line328 and recirculates the fluid through a line 330. Material is fed ontothe screen 312 from a chute 320. A portion of the pump output can bediverted via a line 334 to a hydrocyclone or centrifuge 332 and thenthrough a line 336 to the tank 324. The screen 312 is secured to asupport structure or base 319 by hollow elastomeric isolators 318 whichmay be of the pneumatically expandable type to tune the apparatus toachieve a desired vibratory pattern or, instead of the isolators 318,coil springs, solid shock absorbers, or resilient members may be used.The isolators 318 are mounted between isolator mounts 318 c and 318 a or318 b. It is to be understood that although only one side of the shakeris shown in FIG. 12, the other side is like the side that is shown (asis true for other apparatus shown in figures herein).

[0050] According to the present invention, the base 319, isolators 318,isolator mounts 318 c, isolator mounts 318 a and 318 b, and/or the chute320 are made of composite material or metal encased in or coated withcomposite material. U.K. Patent Application GB2089403A and U.S. Pat. No.3,014,587 disclose a shaker similar to the shaker 300, but they have noteaching, suggestion or motivation to make a shaker or parts thereof ofcomposite material as disclosed according to the present invention. ThisU.K. Application and U.S. Patent are incorporated fully herein for allpurposes.

[0051]FIGS. 13A and 13B disclose a structural member 400 according tothe present invention for use with vibratory separators and shaleshakers. Although shown with a generally elliptical tar crosssection,any suitable crosssection may be used. In one particular aspect themember 400 is used for mounting springs or other isolators between ascreen support and a base or housing; but it is to be understood that,according to the present invention, such structure may be used forbasket ends or walls, chutes, posts, and for supporting members orbases. As shown the member 400 has a plurality of rings of differentmaterial. In one aspect rings 401 and 403 and a core 405 are made fromrelatively rigid composite material and the rings 402, 404 are made fromflexible composite material. Alternatively, the rings 402, 404 are madeof the rigid material and the rings 401, 403 and core 405 are made ofthe flexible material. It is within the scope of the present inventionto use any desired number of rings of either material.

[0052]FIG. 14 shows a wall or end 500 of a basket of a separator orshaker according to the present invention. The wall or end 500 has acoating of composite material 501 on one side and a layer of compositematerial 502 on the other side. Alternatively, both sides are coated orboth sides are have a layer of the material. Any composite materialdisclosed herein may be used. In certain aspects the coating 501 is thethickness of one, two, three, four or more layers of paint and the layer502 ranges between {fraction (1/64)}th inch and ½ inch in thickness.

[0053]FIG. 15 shows a spring mount or spring support 510 which has abody 512 made of composite material and inner core 514 made of compositematerial. A plurality of spaced-apart rods or discs 515 extend throughthe core 514 and have ends that project into the body 512. Such astructure may be used for basket side walls and ends, for bases orsupports, and for posts or chutes. In certain aspects the body 512 ismade of relatively rigid composite material and the core 514 and discsor rods 515 are made of relatively flexible composite material, orvice-versa. The body 512 and the core 514 may have a top crosssectionlike that of the member 400 in FIG. 13A and 13B; or they may have anydesired crosssectional shape, including, but not limited to, triangular,square, rectangular, pentagonal or hexagonal. Any member, base, mount orstructural part disclosed herein according to the present invention mayhave the rods or discs or core of the support 510 and/or a ring or ringsor core as in the member 400.

[0054]FIG. 16 shows a spring mounting apparatus for a spring or otherisolator of a separator or shaker that has a lower mount member 522 andan upper mount member 521. These mount members may be suitably attachedor secured to a part of a separator or shaker and to a base or housing.Extending between the mount members 521, 522 is a spring 523. A lowerpart of the spring 523 encircles a projection 525 of the lower mountmember 522 and an upper part of the spring 523 encircles a projection524 of the upper mount member 521. The top crosssections of the mountmembers 521, 522 and of the projections 524, 525 may be like a topcrosssection like that of the member 400 in FIG. 13A and 13B; or theymay have any desired crosssectional shape, including, but not limitedto, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal or hexagonal. The mountmembers 521 and 522 are made of composite material. The spring 523 has aportion thereof coated with composite material 523 a; but it is withinthe scope of this invention for any other part or parts of the spring523, or substantially all of it, to be so coated.

[0055] “Composite” material as used herein includes fiberglass materialand other non-metallic composite materials of sufficient strength andrigidity to serve as the listed parts, according to the presentinvention, of shale shakers, including, but not limited to, thecomposite materials referred to in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,335,101; 6,346,425;6,352,779; 6,343,038; 6,355,206; 6,355,358; 6,361,860; 6,324,833;6,324,833; and 6,358,603 and in the references cited in thesepatents—all fully incorporated here for all purposes. It is within thescope of the present invention to use for a part for a shale shaker(parts listed or mentioned above according to the present invention) acomposite material with reinforcing wires, bars, cables, pieces, plates,rods and/or discs which are metal, wood or plastic and with and/orwithin a matrix of cement, fiberglass, and/or plastic, including, butnot limited to, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,603 and in thereferences referred to in this patent, all of which are incorporatedfully herein for all purposes.

[0056] The present invention in at least, but not necessarily all,embodiments, therefore, provides a vibratory separator or a shale shakerwith a base, vibration isolation apparatus on the base, a basket, mountapparatus for mounting the basket on the base, and at least one of thebase, the basket, and the mount apparatus made of, encased in, or coatedwith composite material. Such a separator or shaker may have one orsome, in any possible combination, of the following: wherein thecomposite material is non-metal composite material; wherein thecomposite material includes at least a portion thereof made of flexiblecomposite material or is substantially all flexible composite material;wherein the composite material includes at least one reinforcing partwithin the composite material; wherein the reinforcing part is made ofmetal; wherein the reinforcing part is made of material from the groupof wood, plastic, fiber, and composite material; electronic trackingapparatus on the shale shaker or separator which may, optionally, becoated with, encased in, or with a housing made of composite material;the basket with a plurality of interconnected walls, the walls connectedby electromagnetic welding; the shale shaker or separator has a screensupport apparatus and vibratory apparatus for vibrating the screensupport apparatus, and isolation apparatus for isolating the screensupport apparatus to inhibit vibrations vibrating the screen apparatusfrom vibrating objects other than the screen support apparatus and thescreen apparatus; mounting apparatus to which is mounted the isolationapparatus, the mounting apparatus made from, encased in or coated withcomposite material; wherein the mounting apparatus includes at least aportion made from, encased in or coated with flexible compositematerial; wherein the at least a portion of flexible composite materialis a plurality of spaced-apart amounts of flexible composite material;wherein the mounting apparatus is made from flexible composite material;wherein the isolation apparatus is a plurality of spaced-apart isolationapparatuses; wherein the isolation apparatus is from the group ofsprings, resilient members, cushions, flexible hollow members, andinflatable members; wherein the isolation apparatus is coated withcomposite material; wherein the isolation apparatus is encased incomposite material; mounting apparatus to which is mounted the isolationapparatus, the mounting apparatus coated with composite material;mounting apparatus to which is mounted the isolation apparatus themounting apparatus encased in composite material; wherein the basketincludes a plurality of interconnected walls; and/or wherein the shaleshaker is for treating fluid introduced thereto, the fluid to be treatedincluding fluid with drilled cuttings therein and/or the fluid to betreated including lost circulation material which, in one aspect,includes fibrous lost circulation material. The present invention in atleast, but not necessarily all, embodiments, therefore, provides amethod for using any such separator or shaker.

[0057] In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present inventionand the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appendedclaims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the endsset forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It isrealized that changes are possible within the scope of this inventionand it is further intended that each element or step recited in any ofthe following claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalentelements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover theinvention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may beutilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. § 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35U.S.C. § 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 103.This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with allof the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. The inventor may rely on theDoctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of theirinvention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatusnot materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shale shaker comprising a base, vibrationisolation apparatus on said base, a basket, mount apparatus for mountingsaid basket on said base, and at least one of said base, said basket,and said mount apparatus made of composite material.
 2. The shale shakerof claim 1 wherein the composite material is non-metal compositematerial.
 3. The shale shaker of claim 1 wherein the composite materialincludes at least a portion thereof made of flexible composite material.4. The shale shaker of claim 1 wherein the composite material includesat least one reinforcing part within the composite material.
 5. Theshale shaker of claim 4 wherein the reinforcing part is made of metal.6. The shale shaker of claim 4 wherein the reinforcing part is made ofmaterial from the group consisting of wood, plastic, fiber, andcomposite material.
 7. The shale shaker of claim 1 further comprisingelectronic tracking apparatus on the shale shaker.
 8. The shale shakerof claim 1 further comprising the basket having a plurality ofinterconnected walls, said walls connected by electromagnetic welding.9. The shale shaker of claim 1 wherein the shale shaker has a screensupport apparatus and vibratory apparatus for vibrating the screensupport apparatus, and isolation apparatus for isolating the screensupport apparatus to inhibit vibrations vibrating the screen apparatusfrom vibrating objects other than the screen support apparatus and thescreen apparatus.
 10. The shale shaker of claim 9 further comprisingmounting apparatus to which is mounted the isolation apparatus, themounting apparatus made from composite material.
 11. The shale shaker ofclaim 10 wherein the mounting apparatus includes at least a portion madefrom flexible composite material.
 12. The shale shaker of claim 11wherein the at least a portion made from flexible composite material isa plurality of spaced-apart amounts of flexible composite material. 13.The shale shaker of claim 10 wherein the mounting apparatus is made fromflexible composite material.
 14. The shale shaker of claim 9 wherein theisolation apparatus is a plurality of spaced-apart isolationapparatuses.
 15. The shale shaker of claim 9 wherein the isolationapparatus is from the group consisting of springs, resilient members,cushions, flexible hollow members, and inflatable members.
 16. The shaleshaker of claim 15 wherein the isolation apparatus is coated withcomposite material.
 17. The shale shaker of claim 15 wherein theisolation apparatus is encased in composite material.
 18. The shaleshaker of claim 9 further comprising mounting apparatus to which ismounted the isolation apparatus, the mounting apparatus coated withcomposite material.
 19. The shale shaker of claim 9 further comprisingmounting apparatus to which is mounted the isolation apparatus, themounting apparatus encased in composite material.
 20. The shale shakerof claim 1 wherein the basket includes a plurality of interconnectedwalls.
 21. A shale shaker comprising a base, vibration isolationapparatus on said base, a basket, mount apparatus for mounting saidbasket on said base, and at least one of said base, said basket, andsaid mount apparatus encased in composite material.
 22. A shale shakercomprising a base, vibration isolation apparatus on said base, a basket,mount apparatus for mounting said basket on said base, and at least oneof said base, said basket, and said mount apparatus coated withcomposite material.
 23. The shale shaker of claim 1 wherein the shaleshaker is for treating fluid introduced thereto, the fluid to be treatedcomprising fluid with drilled cuttings therein.
 24. The shale shaker ofclaim of claim 1 wherein the shale shaker is for treating fluidintroduced thereto, the fluid to be treated including lost circulationmaterial.
 25. The shale shaker of claim 24 wherein the lost circulationmaterial includes fibrous lost circulation material.
 26. A method fortreated fluid with a shale shaker, the method comprising introducingfluid to be treated to the shale shaker, the shale shaker having a base,vibration isolation apparatus on said base, a basket, mount apparatusfor mounting said basket on said base, and at least one of said base,said basket, and said mount apparatus made of, encased in or coated withcomposite material, and processing said fluid through the shale shaker.27. The method of claim 26 wherein said fluid includes drilled cuttings.28. The method of claim 26 wherein said fluid includes lost circulationmaterial.
 29. The method of claim 26 wherein said composite materialincludes at least a portion thereof that is flexible composite material.30. Any invention disclosed herein.